I really feel like Pau is not getting enough credit for this championship. I know he's getting some praise, but he is getting overlooked at really how great he is and how important he was in this title. One of the main reason's they lost last year to Boston was because of Pau's lack of toughness and physical presence on defense.

You have to give him a ton of credit for taking it as a challenge and making sure he was stronger and played with an added toughness. A prime example of this was when Pietrius pounded Gasol in game 4 and he got right in his face and didn't back down and brush it off. You can tell he was a different player than a year ago in terms of attitude and toughness.

I saw a stat that Howard had 0 points in game 5 when Gasol was on the court.

You have no frame of reference, Donny. You're like a child who walks into the middle of a movie...

Phatferd wrote:I really feel like Pau is not getting enough credit for this championship. I know he's getting some praise, but he is getting overlooked at really how great he is and how important he was in this title. One of the main reason's they lost last year to Boston was because of Pau's lack of toughness and physical presence on defense.

You have to give him a ton of credit for taking it as a challenge and making sure he was stronger and played with an added toughness. A prime example of this was when Pietrius pounded Gasol in game 4 and he got right in his face and didn't back down and brush it off. You can tell he was a different player than a year ago in terms of attitude and toughness.

I saw a stat that Howard had 0 points in game 5 when Gasol was on the court.

There is certainly a reason Spain won the Worlds a few years back, and he was it.

jfg wrote:I think Kobe might be the best player in the league but he sure is a pain to watch because he always has that stupid sneer on his face. It's not fun watching someone who looks like they aren't having fun. The guy just has a terrible personality.

Personally, I'd rather have a guy who scowls and shows that hunger on the floor than someone who thinks the game is a country club to them. All players deal with high-stress situations in their own way and there's no right/wrong in feeling either way. However, I'd much rather see a player who shows intensity and urgency on the floor, that look on his face like if he loses, he loses the farm with it. I believe deep down inside he loves the game for what it is, but it's as much business as it is fun, more so business.

Phatferd wrote:I really feel like Pau is not getting enough credit for this championship. I know he's getting some praise, but he is getting overlooked at really how great he is and how important he was in this title. One of the main reason's they lost last year to Boston was because of Pau's lack of toughness and physical presence on defense.

Another reason for why the Lakers won is because of Ariza's presence, both as a perimeter defender and his developed shooting range, that X-factor which the Lakers also lacked against Boston. That and Lamar was pretty consistent for the finals and for that matter, the playoffs.

At any rate, you're right. Pau is an underrated defender, but I think it really shone in the conference finals against Denver and of course in the finals. He did such a fantastic job against Howard, just to stick with him and forcing Howard not to take that explosive step to the basket. As much as it had been said about Kobe's inability to win it all without Shaq, likewise Kobe wouldn't have been here without the great all-around play of Pau.

In all, I'm so happy for every Laker there. The title means something a little extra for me as Pau, a Barcelona native and a Catalan, won his first ring in a Laker uniform. For Luke Walton, as it's third time's a charm for him. For the local boys, Trevor Ariza and Jordan Farmar. Of course, for Lamar Odom who had been through a lot in his career and personal life as well as Derek Fisher who is perhaps the best Laker ambassador on and off the floor over the past 15 years or so. Great day all around.

jfg wrote:I think Kobe might be the best player in the league but he sure is a pain to watch because he always has that stupid sneer on his face. It's not fun watching someone who looks like they aren't having fun. The guy just has a terrible personality.

Personally, I'd rather have a guy who scowls and shows that hunger on the floor than someone who thinks the game is a country club to them. All players deal with high-stress situations in their own way and there's no right/wrong in feeling either way. However, I'd much rather see a player who shows intensity and urgency on the floor, that look on his face like if he loses, he loses the farm with it. I believe deep down inside he loves the game for what it is, but it's as much business as it is fun, more so business.

Kobe doesn't just do it when he loses though, it looks like he hates the game at all times and is always scowling about a call that didn't go his way or just life in general. You rarely see him smile.

jfg wrote:I think Kobe might be the best player in the league but he sure is a pain to watch because he always has that stupid sneer on his face. It's not fun watching someone who looks like they aren't having fun. The guy just has a terrible personality.

Personally, I'd rather have a guy who scowls and shows that hunger on the floor than someone who thinks the game is a country club to them. All players deal with high-stress situations in their own way and there's no right/wrong in feeling either way. However, I'd much rather see a player who shows intensity and urgency on the floor, that look on his face like if he loses, he loses the farm with it. I believe deep down inside he loves the game for what it is, but it's as much business as it is fun, more so business.

Kobe doesn't just do it when he loses though, it looks like he hates the game at all times and is always scowling about a call that didn't go his way or just life in general. You rarely see him smile.

It's cause he's so awesomely intense. Kobe is incredible at basketball but he'll never be Jordan in the sense that Jordan is a complete superstar. Kobe is disliked more then he's liked.